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Which is the best 6.5 speaker?

Not yet, I am currently trying to get a fiberglass enclosure fabbed upr for the dash behind the windshield. I had type R components in my old truck and like them.

I still have to build the sub boxes and get them rhino lined, build the amp rack, buy 50' of 1/0 gauge wire, and start putting it all in.

I am also debating on putting it all together and using the Kenwood Marine head unit I currently have installed or if I want to shell out the extra jack for the new Alpine head unit I want.
 
keith4216 said:
What on earth are you doing with 50' of 1 gauge?
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25' for power and 25' for ground from the amp rack to the battery. I have a 250 amp in line fuse, and will be potentially drawing about 225 amps.

Alpine MRV F-540 for the mains and 2-MTX Thunder 801D's for the subs.

These are the older real Thunder 801D's not the Thunder Elite's.
 
I got 6.5's and 6x9 pioneers run off the pioneer head unit. Missing the bass but got that covered this year with the addition of a fiberglass enclosure holding 2-12" pioneer subs. I will add details in my build thread when i get back to working on it again.
 
Thats what I figured. 50' just sounds alot but I guess it depends on where your mounting everyting. I can do mine with 30'. 15' for each +and - and have extra.
 
keith4216 said:
Thats what I figured. 50' just sounds alot but I guess it depends on where your mounting everyting. I can do mine with 30'. 15' for each +and - and have extra.
Click to expand...

Batteries are under the back seat and the amp rack will be in the cabin. I am removing one of the extra cushions that make up the spare (lower) berth that are on the back wall.
 
Thats about the same as I'm doing. If I run everything up the starboard side its only like 15'. You might be buying to much wire but I could be wrong I'm going on memery. You will be useing a distrabution block I'm sure to break it down to 4 gauge for the amp hook ups so there you can save a couple feet with the smaller cheaper wire. Just thinking out loud, lol
 
I agree with what your doing, just think you might be buying to much wire. Trying to save a brother a few bucks for gas! lol gl and have fun with it.
 
Yes, from what I've seen JL (not JBL - although they're good speakers) are about the top of the line marine speaker. Maybe on par with high end polks.

They have two lines: expensive and super expensive which ones are you running, with what power / filter?

I have 2 6.5" kappa marine speakers (the older white ones) installed up front and am debating what to do in the cockpit area.

Boat has cheap 6.5's in the rear I need to replace. I have matching 6x9 kappa's from my old boat but I'll be cutting some fiberglass to make them fit. Debating just dropping some cash for descent 6.5's and tossing them in. The 4 speakers will be run with a clarion marine 4x50rms amp. That and the sub will be loud enough for the family duty they'll see.

Any opinions on 6.5 vs. the 6x9's? Matching brands vs. matching speaker sizes.
 
Heres a little nugget,This past spring while a the boat show I was hanging around the audio booths listening to the conversations and the audio guy was saying, you'll never match the sound of a round speaker with a oval shape speaker. The oval speaker tend to teader back and forth while working! Never gave much thought but makes sense to me. I quess you never find high end ovals?
 
merc245 said:
Heres a little nugget,This past spring while a the boat show I was hanging around the audio booths listening to the conversations and the audio guy was saying, you'll never match the sound of a round speaker with a oval shape speaker. The oval speaker tend to teader back and forth while working! Never gave much thought but makes sense to me. I quess you never find high end ovals?
Click to expand...

That's absolutely correct. You'll never get the sound (hi's-low's-tight base, etc) out of ovals that is achieved with rounds. No comparison.

The best systems are full satellites and subs.
 
I ended up replacing the stock 6.5's with Polk Audio 6.5" DB651 series speakers. I'm also driving them with a Clarion APX490M amp. These little speakers sound pretty stout especially the rears that fire under the bench seat. Most have thought I have a small sub by the way it sounds.
 
I've got a pair of 6.5" Pioneers from WalMart up in the front and they get the job done very well on the cheap.
 
merc245 said:
Heres a little nugget,This past spring while a the boat show I was hanging around the audio booths listening to the conversations and the audio guy was saying, you'll never match the sound of a round speaker with a oval shape speaker. The oval speaker tend to teader back and forth while working! Never gave much thought but makes sense to me. I quess you never find high end ovals?
Click to expand...

I've heard the same thing - but more in respect to pure accurate sound. I think for maximum efficiency (sensitivity) the 6x9's tend to make more noise - just due to the larger speaker area. But I guess the sensitivity rating sort of lets you compare them.

For a boat environment I tend to think volume is more important than accuracy - within reason. Boats are a tough place to get really good sound - lots of reflective surfaces and open area. Pretty far from a good home theater 4 walled environment.

For my application, the 6x9's are too much cutting for the moment so I'm going to get some 6.5's. If anyone wants four infinity 6x9's make me an offier! They're in good shape, always driven by a clean amp at family sound levels.

Thanks -
 
Why not build a pair of boxes for 6x9's that can be removed and set on stern when hanging out and swiming or when beached. This would allow you to not have to crank it up as loud when not seated in the boat and allow anyone remaining in the boat to carry on a conversation without screaming at each other.
 
They make prefab 6x9 boxes that are pretty good. Made of MDF. Tear off the carpet and have them sprayed with bed liner and you are done. Might cost you $50 after being sprayed.
 
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